Central Thought: Those who endure the test of faith will experience God’s great reward.
Hymn: O God, our help in ages past
Text: Job 1:13-22, 2:1-3
Introduction:
The misery of Job Is hinged on the ideology of the devil: that no man serves God without personal material gain, and that man would curse and hate his maker (God) in the absence of materialism. However this theory of satan depicts the mystery that surrounds human existence and a call for the need to trust God in all situations. Mankind simply does not have in-depth knowledge in explaining why things happen the way they do. It is possible for man to rise above limitations by resolute faith in God because God does know why everything happens and will cause all to work together for good for those who love Him. It is also good to learn the profound truth that despite what happened to Job, his integrity and uprightness was intact, telling us Christians of today that when we have nothing left, God is enough, Let’s not push aside this ordeal of Job with the wave of the hand because the opening statement (in Job 1:1) depicts that this is a historical fact and not a myth (Dakes).
Lesson Objectives:
- To identify things taken away from Job by satan
- To examine how Job responded on each occasion he received news of losses.
- To ascertain that satan is an author/propagator of problems amongst men.
- To emphasize the fact that God is our deliverer from every adverse situation
Question 1.a) Enumerate things satan took away from Job and what he used on each occasion to strike. Job 1:13-19
At this time, God had given limited permission to satan to test Job, Satan struck four times in quick succession which were:
- The yoke of Oxen and assess, each numbering five hundred (Job 1:3). On this occasion they were taken away by the Sabeans (Job 1:15) killing those tending them, while only one escaped to tell the story.
- On the second occasion, the servants and seven thousand sheep were consumed. The weapons used was the fire of God, fallen from heaven and burnt all sheep and those caring for them and only one escaped.
- On the third occasion, the camels numbering three thousand (Job 1:17) were carried away. The instrument used was the Chaldeans who slew the servants with the edge of the sword.
- On the 4th occasion the sons and daughters who were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house were all killed. The agent identified was a great wind from the wilderness which struck the four corners of the house killing all occupants except one.
In all the four occasions one servant escaped to tell the bad news, so as to inform Job of the happening. This is always the trick of the devil in his effort to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
Question 1.b) Examine Job’s response to these disasters that befell him and draw lessons. Job 1:20-22
Firstly, Job arose, rent his mantle showing a sign of sorrow and went further to shave his hair as a sign of mourning (Leviticus 21:5) and fell down upon the ground and worshipped. He worshipped Jehovah the provider of all these things, acknowledging that God gives and can take away (Job 1:21).
This is a definite resolute of “take my life and let it be, consecrated….” Let all Christians know that our times, life are in the hands of God, therefore our lives, friends, goods, soul, should be left entirely to the care of Jehovah so that in the times of despair, the gift of peace of mind and heart will flow and we would not be troubled or afraid but calm (Isaiah 26:3).
Question 2.) Read Job 2:7 & 8, comment on the affliction of satan brought on Job’s body.
Satan’s next test (suggested by him) was that of allowing him to afflict the body of Job, therefore he afflicted Job with sore boils from head to all parts of the body, including to the legs. The effects were much that it caused him restless nights because the flesh broke out with running ulcers (Dake’s). Job was in such misery that he cursed the day he was born and was bitter in soul thereby longing for death (Job 3:21-23). Despite all the loss, Job refused to sin and did not say any foolish thing, (Job 2:3) but still held his integrity.
Question 3.) Examine this statement: “Satan author of sickness and disease among men”. Job 2:7, Matthew 9:32-33, 12:22, 26-28, 15:22, John 10:10, Acts 10:38, 1 John 3:8
Ordinarily, oppression, sickness, disease, are forms of affliction that originate from satan and his demons. Their operation in the Spirit realm come manifest as afflictions on the generality of mankind, who are outside God’s covering. In one of the reference text (Matthew 15:22, the Syrohonecian) the woman of canaan came out, cried unto the Lord Jesus Christ to have mercy on her daughter who was miserably possessed by a demon. This was also the case of Job when satan got a limited permission the second time and he was afflicted with some boils from his head to toes. Satan therefore is the thief, the destroyer and the killer (Hebrews 2:14-15). The Lord Jesus conquered satan and death for all mankind.
Question 4.) Why did Job’s three friends visit him? Job 2:11-13
There are two fold principal purpose of Job’s three friends visit and these are: (i) To mourn for him (ii) To comfort him.
This first purpose was accomplished, for they did weep, mourn, tear their clothes and went further to sprinkle dust upon their heads and sat down with him on the ground for seven days. During this period nobody spoke a word to him because of the grief. From the discussions that followed it is obvious that they did not bring any comfort to him at the time of his grief.
Question 5.) Examine the attitude of Eliphaz (the Temarrite) Bildad (the Shulite) and Zophar (the Naamalhite), three friends of Job. Romans 12:15
Job’s friends did not in any way comfort him by their attitude/words, because they seem to assert that Job’s suffering was as a result of his sinful life; this made Job to claim self-righteousness. Christians should therefore be weary of their attitude/words to brethren in grief, in order not to drive them to a state of discouragement. The word of God admonishes that there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Scriptures enjoins that we should mourn with those that mourn and rejoice with those that rejoice. This is the word of God which acts as a compass to our lives; and God’s word serves as a lamp unto our feet hence we have no option than act accordingly. Our concern is also an avenue of helping to alleviate the burdens some are carrying, thereby pointing such ones to look up to God for intervention.
Daily Living Application
Sometimes the Lord allows us to go through storms and challenges so that we should be living testimonies of His grace to others, who might undergo similar ordeals and challenges in life. God will always deliver His own from troubles. Even if He does not deliver us, our reaction must be to trust and obey. Let us be determined not to serve God only when it is well. While we hold on to the old rugged cross, we do not know what the future may hold but we do know God who holds the future. Keep on believing; keep on trusting; keep on obeying. God is faithful who has promised.
Memory verse: Job 1:22
“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly”
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: Satan robs Job
Job 1:13-19
Tuesday: Job submits to God
Job 1:20-22
Wednesday: Job refused to sin
Job 2:3-8; 1:22
Thursday: Jesus conquered satan and death
Hebrew 2:14-15
Friday: Visit of Job’s three friends
Job 2:11-13
Saturday: Meditate on Romans 12:15